The Effect of Carvacrol on the Expression of Genes Hmox-1, iNOS, Nrf2 and NF-ҚB in the Spinal Cord of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the nervous system, characterized by inflammation of the central nervous system and oxidative stress. Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol with antioxidant effects against free radical. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvacrol on the expression of Hmox-1, iNOS, Nrf2 and NF-ҚB genes in the spinal cord of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats as an animal model of MS.

EAE was induced in female Lewis rats and they were then divided into three groups: control, EAE model, and EAE treated with carvacrol. Carvacrol was daily injected intraperitoneally for 17 days after immunization. RNA was extracted from rat spinal cord tissue and changes in the expression of the Hmox-1, iNOS, Nrf2 and NF-ҚB genes were examined by Real-Time PCR.

The results showed that carvacrol treatment stopped severe weight loss in the EAE model group and their mean weight increased. Furthermore, carvacrol was found to reduce the expression of iNOS and NF-ҚB genes and increase the levels of Hmox-1 mRNA and Nrf2 mRNA.

The effect of carvacrol on weight changes in treated rats, along with the increased HO-1 gene expression in their spinal cord, associated with increased Nrf2 mRNA and decreased expression of iNOS and NF-ҚB, led to a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, and an increase in the neuroprotection. Furthermore, the invasive environment created for some cells, such as oligodendrocytes, was modulated.